Guides you through the decision to take medicines (Cialis, Levitra, or Viagra) for erection problems. Explains erectile dysfunction and what causes it. Lists risks and benefits of medicines. Includes interactive tool to help you decide.

Erection Problems: Should I Take Medicine?

You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.

Your options

Take
medicine for erection problems.

Don't take medicine. Try home treatment instead.

Key points to remember

There are a number of treatments for
erection problems. But
medicines such as Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra are
usually tried first, because they work well and are easy to use. About 70 out of
100 men who use these medicines are able to have an erection and successfully
have intercourse, and 30 out of 100 are not.1

These medicines are not an option if you have
heart disease and need to take nitroglycerin or other medicines that contain
nitrates.

If you and your partner feel
that sexual intercourse is an important part of your relationship, you may want
to try medicine. It's important to talk about your and your partner's sexual
preferences. Couples often assume that each of them knows what the other person
likes when it comes to sex. But sometimes they are wrong.

You may be able to treat some erection problems on your own.
You can make lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking or drinking less
alcohol. Doing sensual exercises with your partner may also help.

A man has
erection problems if he repeatedly can't get or keep
an erection that is firm enough for him to have sex. Erection problems are also
called erectile dysfunction or impotence.

Having an erection
problem doesn't mean a lack of interest in sex. And it's not the same as having an
occasional problem getting or keeping an erection. That problem affects all men at
some time in their lives.

Erection problems can occur at any age.
But they are more common in older men, who often have other health problems.
Medicine can help both older and younger men.

Anxiety,
stress, and
depression can also cause erection problems. So can
medicines you take for other health problems. Men who drink
too much alcohol, smoke, or use illegal drugs also are
at risk for erection problems.

The decision about
whether to treat an erection problem is often based on personal preference. It
may not be as easy as the decision about whether to treat other medical
problems. Erection problems aren't life-threatening. But they can affect how
you feel about yourself. They can make it hard to father a child, if that is
your wish. If you are trying to have a child, you should talk with your doctor
about how taking one of these medicines will affect your chances of conceiving.

Medicines can make treating an erection problem simple and easy.
But you should think carefully about whether you want to treat your erection
problem before you commit to trying one of these medicines.

Being
able to have an erection may not be as important to your relationship as you
think. Some men find that after they are able to have erections again, the
hassle of treatment isn't worth the effort. Other men find that being able to
have erections doesn't change their relationship as much as they thought it
would.

Pills called
phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra) are most commonly used for erection problems. These medicines work
well no matter what is causing the erection problem. About 70 out of 100 men
who use these medicines are able to have an erection and successfully have
intercourse, and 30 out of 100 are not.1

These medicines should never
be used if you may need to take a
nitrate-containing medicine, such as nitroglycerin.

Talk with your doctor about whether
medicines for erection problems are safe if you:

Personal stories about taking phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

A while back
it began getting more difficult for me to have erections. For my partner and
me, sex is a very important part of our relationship. We are not yet ready to
give this up. So we talked with our doctor. I tried one of these new
medicines. I know it's a little expensive, but we are willing to spend the
money to be able to continue having sex.

Marvin, age 57

When I began
to have a problem getting an erection, I was pretty upset. I went right to my
doctor, and he gave me a medicine to try. It worked all right for me, but he
also suggested I talk about this with my wife. When we talked, I discovered she
was not all that concerned about having sex as long as I gave her lots of
loving attention. Finding other ways to say "I love you" has been important for
both of us.

William,
age 47

My partner was having trouble getting an
erection. The doctor could find nothing physically wrong with him. The doctor
suggested we try counseling and that my partner take a medicine that will
help him get an erection. Although we weren't sure we liked the idea of
counseling, my partner and I talked it over, and we went ahead and did both.

Carlita, age
62

My partner and I discussed my problem of
getting an erection. We decided we just like being together. We discovered that
having sex is not as important to us as it was in the past.

Nickolas, age 76

What matters most to you?

Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.

Reasons to take medicine for erection problems

Reasons not to take medicine for erection problems

Being able to have intercourse is an important part of sex for me and my partner.

Intercourse is not an important part of sex for me and my partner.

More important

Equally important

More important

I'm not worried about the side effects of medicines.

The side effects of medicines worry me.

More important

Equally important

More important

I've made lifestyle changes, and they haven't helped me with my erection problems.

I think making some lifestyle changes might help me with my erection problems.

More important

Equally important

More important

I don't mind taking pills.

I want to avoid taking pills if I can.

More important

Equally important

More important

My other important reasons:

My other important reasons:

More important

Equally important

More important

Where are you leaning now?

Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.

Taking medicine

NOT taking medicine

Leaning toward

Undecided

Leaning toward

What else do you need to make your decision?

Check the facts

1.

Do medicines work well to treat erection problems?

YesYou're right. Medicines work well and are easy to use. About 70 out of 100 men who use them are able to have an erection and successfully have intercourse, and 30 out of 100 are not.

NoSorry, that's not right. Medicines work well and are easy to use. About 70 out of 100 men who use them are able to have an erection and successfully have intercourse, and 30 out of 100 are not.

I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "Get the Facts." About 70 out of 100 men who use medicines are able to have an erection and successfully have intercourse, and 30 out of 100 are not.

2.

Can any man who is having an erection problem take these medicines?

YesSorry, that's not right. These medicines should never
be used if you may need to take a
nitrate-containing medicine, such as nitroglycerin.

NoYou're right. These medicines should never
be used if you may need to take a
nitrate-containing medicine, such as nitroglycerin.

I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "Get the Facts." These medicines should never
be used if you may need to take a
nitrate-containing medicine, such as nitroglycerin.

3.

Can you treat some erection problems on your own?

YesYou're right. To treat erection problems, you can make lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking or reducing alcohol. Doing sensual exercises with your partner may also help.

NoSorry, that's not right. To treat erection problems, you can make lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking or reducing alcohol. Doing sensual exercises with your partner may also help.

I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "Get the Facts." You can make lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking or reducing alcohol, or do sensual exercises with your partner.

You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.

Erection Problems: Should I Take Medicine?

Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.

Get the facts

Compare your options

What matters most to you?

Where are you leaning now?

What else do you need to make your decision?

1. Get the Facts

Your options

Take
medicine for erection problems.

Don't take medicine. Try home treatment instead.

Key points to remember

There are a number of treatments for
erection problems. But
medicines such as Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra are
usually tried first, because they work well and are easy to use. About 70 out of
100 men who use these medicines are able to have an erection and successfully
have intercourse, and 30 out of 100 are not.1

These medicines are not an option if you have
heart disease and need to take nitroglycerin or other medicines that contain
nitrates.

If you and your partner feel
that sexual intercourse is an important part of your relationship, you may want
to try medicine. It's important to talk about your and your partner's sexual
preferences. Couples often assume that each of them knows what the other person
likes when it comes to sex. But sometimes they are wrong.

You may be able to treat some erection problems on your own.
You can make lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking or drinking less
alcohol. Doing sensual exercises with your partner may also help.

FAQs

What is an erection problem?

A man has
erection problems if he repeatedly can't get or keep
an erection that is firm enough for him to have sex. Erection problems are also
called erectile dysfunction or impotence.

Having an erection
problem doesn't mean a lack of interest in sex. And it's not the same as having an
occasional problem getting or keeping an erection. That problem affects all men at
some time in their lives.

Erection problems can occur at any age.
But they are more common in older men, who often have other health problems.
Medicine can help both older and younger men.

Anxiety,
stress, and
depression can also cause erection problems. So can
medicines you take for other health problems. Men who drink
too much alcohol, smoke, or use illegal drugs also are
at risk for erection problems.

Why treat an erection problem?

The decision about
whether to treat an erection problem is often based on personal preference. It
may not be as easy as the decision about whether to treat other medical
problems. Erection problems aren't life-threatening. But they can affect how
you feel about yourself. They can make it hard to father a child, if that is
your wish. If you are trying to have a child, you should talk with your doctor
about how taking one of these medicines will affect your chances of conceiving.

Medicines can make treating an erection problem simple and easy.
But you should think carefully about whether you want to treat your erection
problem before you commit to trying one of these medicines.

Being
able to have an erection may not be as important to your relationship as you
think. Some men find that after they are able to have erections again, the
hassle of treatment isn't worth the effort. Other men find that being able to
have erections doesn't change their relationship as much as they thought it
would.

What do you need to know about these medicines?

Pills called
phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra) are most commonly used for erection problems. These medicines work
well no matter what is causing the erection problem. About 70 out of 100 men
who use these medicines are able to have an erection and successfully have
intercourse, and 30 out of 100 are not.1

These medicines should never
be used if you may need to take a
nitrate-containing medicine, such as nitroglycerin.

Talk with your doctor about whether
medicines for erection problems are safe if you:

Have
heart disease.

Have
heart failure or low blood pressure.

Are
taking drugs for
high blood pressure.

What if you don't use these medicines to treat an erection problem?

You may be able to treat some erection problems on your
own. Try these tips:

Change your
lifestyle habits that affect erections. Don't smoke or use illegal drugs. Limit alcohol. For some men, losing weight and
exercising more have been helpful.

Think about what is going on in
your relationships and life that could be linked to
your erection problems.

Talk with your partner about your
erection problems. Couples often assume that each person knows what the other
person likes when it comes to sex. But sometimes they are wrong.

Practice some
sensual exercises with your partner.

If these things don't work for you, don't be embarrassed
to talk with your doctor about other things you might try.

2. Compare your options

Take medicine for
erection problems

Don't take medicine

What is usually involved?

You take a pill before you plan to have sex.

Levitra and Viagra start to work as soon as 30 minutes and up to 4 hours after taking a pill.

Cialis starts to work as soon as 20 minutes and up to 36 hours after taking a pill.

You try other treatment,
such as changing
lifestyle habits that affect erections.

You practice
sensual exercises with your partner.

You
talk with your partner about your erection problems.
Maybe having intercourse isn't that important to your sex life.

These medicines
don't work well for about 30 out of 100 men who use them.1

Side effects aren't common but can include
headaches, flushed skin, an upset stomach, and a stuffy nose.

These medicines should never
be used if you may need to take a
nitrate-containing medicine, such as nitroglycerin.

Talk with your doctor about whether these medicines are safe if
you:

Have
heart disease.

Have
heart failure or low blood pressure.

Are
taking medicines for
high blood pressure.

You may have to pay for these medicines yourself
if your health plan doesn't cover them.

You will probably continue to have erection problems.

Personal stories

Are you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These
personal stories
may help you decide.

Personal stories about taking phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

"A while back it began getting more difficult for me to have erections. For my partner and me, sex is a very important part of our relationship. We are not yet ready to give this up. So we talked with our doctor. I tried one of these new medicines. I know it's a little expensive, but we are willing to spend the money to be able to continue having sex."

— Marvin, age 57

"When I began to have a problem getting an erection, I was pretty upset. I went right to my doctor, and he gave me a medicine to try. It worked all right for me, but he also suggested I talk about this with my wife. When we talked, I discovered she was not all that concerned about having sex as long as I gave her lots of loving attention. Finding other ways to say "I love you" has been important for both of us."

— William,
age 47

"My partner was having trouble getting an erection. The doctor could find nothing physically wrong with him. The doctor suggested we try counseling and that my partner take a medicine that will help him get an erection. Although we weren't sure we liked the idea of counseling, my partner and I talked it over, and we went ahead and did both."

— Carlita, age
62

"My partner and I discussed my problem of getting an erection. We decided we just like being together. We discovered that having sex is not as important to us as it was in the past."

— Nickolas, age 76

3. What matters most to you?

Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.

Reasons to take medicine for erection problems

Reasons not to take medicine for erection problems

Being able to have intercourse is an important part of sex for me and my partner.

Intercourse is not an important part of sex for me and my partner.

More important

Equally important

More important

I'm not worried about the side effects of medicines.

The side effects of medicines worry me.

More important

Equally important

More important

I've made lifestyle changes, and they haven't helped me with my erection problems.

I think making some lifestyle changes might help me with my erection problems.

More important

Equally important

More important

I don't mind taking pills.

I want to avoid taking pills if I can.

More important

Equally important

More important

My other important reasons:

My other important reasons:

More important

Equally important

More important

4. Where are you leaning now?

Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.

Taking medicine

NOT taking medicine

Leaning toward

Undecided

Leaning toward

5. What else do you need to make your decision?

Check the facts

1.
Do medicines work well to treat erection problems?

Yes

No

I'm not sure

You're right. Medicines work well and are easy to use. About 70 out of 100 men who use them are able to have an erection and successfully have intercourse, and 30 out of 100 are not.

2.
Can any man who is having an erection problem take these medicines?

Yes

No

I'm not sure

You're right. These medicines should never
be used if you may need to take a
nitrate-containing medicine, such as nitroglycerin.

3.
Can you treat some erection problems on your own?

Yes

No

I'm not sure

You're right. To treat erection problems, you can make lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking or reducing alcohol. Doing sensual exercises with your partner may also help.

Decide what's next

1.
Do you understand the options available to you?

Yes

No

2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?

Yes

No

3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?

Yes

No

Certainty

1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision?

Not sure at all

Somewhat sure

Very sure

2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision.

I'm ready to take action.

I want to discuss the options with others.

I want to learn more about my options.

3.
Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps.

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